Sugitani et al developed a simple prognostic index for a patient with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. This can be used to manage with this disorder. The authors are from Okayama University and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Tokyo.
Patient selection: anaplastic thyroid carcinoma
Parameters:
(1) acute symptoms
(2) tumor diameter in cm
(3) distant metastases
(4) white blood cell count
Parameter
Finding
Points
acute symptoms
absent
0
present
1
tumor diameter
<= 5 cm
0
> 5 cm
1
distant metastases
absent
0
present
1
white blood cell count
< 10,000 per µL
0
>= 10,000 per µL
1
prognostic index =
= SUM(points for all 4 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 4
• The higher the score the worse the prognosis.
• A patient with a prognostic index <= 1 had a 62% survival rate at 6 months and the patient may benefit from aggressive management.
• A patient with a prognostic index of 4 had 0% survival at 3 months and aggressive management has no benefit.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
